Author Topic: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo  (Read 6331 times)

Offline 80CX100

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Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« on: August 21, 2016, 09:36:07 AM »
I have a chance to pick this bike up for a reasonable price, most of the stock pieces are gone, engine has apparently been rebuilt with Arias pistons, rennsport 1102 super sport cam,lightened fly wheel,mikuni 38 mm flat slide TM carbs, double plugged head with dyna ignition, Dymag magnesium wheels, Magni Parallelogram swing arm, Brembo 4 piston Calipers,,,, it's being sold as a 1982 Lemans 2,,, the ser # is VE24394.

Most of what makes it a Lemans 2 has been removed, and gone,,, the ser #s listed on Guzzitech for the bike show it should be VE 17312 VE 24086,,, so this ser has the right prefix VE but is out of the number range by 300 approx,,, it would have been an original Canadian import bike.

What's the learned opinion out there,,, Is a Lemans 2 still a worthwhile investment, when most of the original bits are gone,,, were the VE prefixes only used on Lemans 2's,, or this this possibly an 850 clone?

How hard is it to locate an original or copy seat pan for the Lemans?






tia

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
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Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2016, 10:22:57 AM »
If you like it as a rider, then go for it. As far as I'm concerned from a historical perspective, there's no Lemans 2 there. <shrug>
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline blackcat

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2016, 10:32:19 AM »
"How hard is it to locate an original or copy seat pan for the Lemans?"

Not that hard to find, keep an eye on eBay as they come up fairly regularly, front fender can be found at MG cycle. 
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Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2016, 10:35:00 AM »
If you like it as a rider, then go for it. As far as I'm concerned from a historical perspective, there's no Lemans 2 there. <shrug>

Tks for the reply Chuck,,, for riding I'm enjoying my DL1000 & DR650 more and more as time goes by,,always looking for a nicer more comfortable ride,,, I do have an old MG G5, that I will gradually redo and put on the road.

The asking price for this Lemans 2 was only 2500,,, it would purely be an investment, possibly long term,, nothing more

The reason I was asking about the availability of seat pans,,, I do have a spare seat already on hand from when I put the Stuchi on my CX100,, but I do realize that without the side covers and rear fender,, the stock seat would probably look a little out of place.

tks

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
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2007 Griso 1100
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2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2016, 10:35:00 AM »

Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2016, 10:44:59 AM »
"How hard is it to locate an original or copy seat pan for the Lemans?"

Not that hard to find, keep an eye on eBay as they come up fairly regularly, front fender can be found at MG cycle.

Tks very much BC
2008 California Vintage
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In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Offline huub

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2016, 10:55:22 AM »
basically it shouldnt be hard to make it look like a nice le mans 2
bodyparts/wheels are still easy to find, as loads of le mans 2 have been turned into fake le mans 1 , or a cafe racers.
the parts you remove should be easy to shift, loads of cafe racer builders around.
 
i should have the seat pan, mudguard,  side covers and wheels, left overs from the Restauration of my own le mans 2



but i am in europe , so postage is probably way too expensive

anyway, at 2500 you cant go wrong, just the heads fetch half of that...

Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2016, 11:07:13 AM »
basically it shouldnt be hard to make it look like a nice le mans 2
bodyparts/wheels are still easy to find, as loads of le mans 2 have been turned into fake le mans 1 , or a cafe racers.
the parts you remove should be easy to shift, loads of cafe racer builders around.
 
i should have the seat pan, mudguard,  side covers and wheels, left overs from the Restauration of my own le mans 2



but i am in europe , so postage is probably way too expensive

anyway, at 2500 you cant go wrong, just the heads fetch half of that...

I've seen pictures of your bike before,,, very nice, well done. my CX is almost a twin but in red

2008 California Vintage
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2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Online Turin

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2016, 12:26:24 PM »
Rear frame rails look chopped in the pictures, are they?   If you are looking for an investment, look elsewhere. To much has been screwed with.
I'd buy it for $2,500 with out a second thought. It'll make a fun rider.
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Offline Cam3512

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2016, 12:27:16 PM »
Cam in NJ
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Offline blackcat

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Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2016, 01:21:09 PM »
Rear frame rails look chopped in the pictures, are they?   If you are looking for an investment, look elsewhere. To much has been screwed with.
I'd buy it for $2,500 with out a second thought. It'll make a fun rider.

Good eye, upon speaking with the owner,, the rear frame has been chopped,,, throws my idea of getting a seat pan and using my spare seat out the window

tks

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
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In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Offline blackcat

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #11 on: August 21, 2016, 01:25:27 PM »
Good eye, upon speaking with the owner,, the rear frame has been chopped,,, throws my idea of getting a seat pan and using my spare seat out the window

tks

Kelly

You can pick up an old frame for little money, chop off the rails and have them welded back. But then this is turning into a money pit so you will have to get the seller down in the price or just leave it as is.
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Offline Lannis

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #12 on: August 21, 2016, 01:28:01 PM »


The asking price for this Lemans 2 was only 2500,,, it would purely be an investment, possibly long term,, nothing more



That bike will never be an appreciating investment at any price, I'm afraid.   There will always be nice stock unmolested ones that will be the ones appreciating.   

This one might be a good rider, but I doubt if it will ever be worth more that what you pay for it.

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Online PeteS

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #13 on: August 21, 2016, 01:36:28 PM »
This looks like it would someone a great rider. Why not let it pass and let someone who wants to ride a real Guzzi sport bike enjoy it?

Pete

Online Turin

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #14 on: August 21, 2016, 02:10:19 PM »
Forks look off, but that could be the wheel/fender/fork gaiter combo throwing my eyes off. That Frankenstein BUB headpipe / V-11 sport exhaust has to go.
I'm a bit confused as to why one would go to all of the expense of fitting a magni swingarm , dymag wheels, all of that engine work, and then throwing together and installing a crap set of pipes like that. A descent exhaust, tail section from airtech and a paint job would do wonders for this poor thing.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2016, 02:26:32 PM by Turin »
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Offline Cam3512

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #15 on: August 21, 2016, 02:31:07 PM »
http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=291&products_id=3197

MG Cycle sells a repro rear fender.

I know it's an early 850 LeMans.  But wouldn't it work if frame rails weren't chopped?
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #16 on: August 21, 2016, 02:41:45 PM »
I know it's an early 850 LeMans.  But wouldn't it work if frame rails weren't chopped?

If the frame rails aren't chopped or are restored to stock length, then yes, that rear fender would work. It wouldn't however be "correct" for a Le Mans II because of the taillight mounting area.
Charlie

Offline Chuck in Indiana

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #17 on: August 21, 2016, 03:23:29 PM »
Like I said in the first post.. it's not a LeMans 2 any more, and to my mind "investment" means original unmolested, or can be made original without much work. Sure, you *could* make it into a LeMans 2, but you'd have more money in it than it would ever be worth. Just MHO.
Chuck in (Elwood) Indiana/sometimes SoCal
 
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Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #18 on: August 21, 2016, 04:13:02 PM »
Forks look off, but that could be the wheel/fender/fork gaiter combo throwing my eyes off. That Frankenstein BUB headpipe / V-11 sport exhaust has to go.
I'm a bit confused as to why one would go to all of the expense of fitting a magni swingarm , dymag wheels, all of that engine work, and then throwing together and installing a crap set of pipes like that. A descent exhaust, tail section from airtech and a paint job would do wonders for this poor thing.

Good eye,, the forks are 38 or 40? Marzochi sp? off another bike,,,

The exhaust are Hindle cans and Lang Hindle (exhaust guru/god in Canadian MC racing) came up with the measurements and design himself, then built by the owner, fwiw, (he does apparently have very good fabricating skills,, he also did the fork brace)
 
I agree,,, as soon as I saw it,,, I thought ouch!,,, but then I remembered my spare seat(just missing a pan),,, and pictured the bike without the garish seat, and a nice solid red paint color,,, and figured if it was a legit Lemans 2 for 2500, it would be a safe investment.

The owner seems very knowledgeable,, states he has owned the bike for over 30 yrs,,, he was talking all the right names for people in the hard core racing community up in this part of Canada,, mechanics, machinist etc involved in work or advice in the mods,,, claims to have talked to Dr John personally a few times during the build,,, and one of the Magni son's on a few occasions(I thought only the Pope ever spoke to those guys lol),,,

I'm starting to think it might have been a campaigned race bike,,, definitely sounds like she spent a lifetime ridden hard and pushing the limits of her design.

Personally,,, I think he got a bit too carried away, trying to capture his Dr John theme to the extreme.

tks

Kelly

2008 California Vintage
2003 V11 Lemans
2007 Griso 1100
1979 G5 & 1980 Lemans CX100
2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #19 on: August 21, 2016, 04:24:44 PM »
This looks like it would someone a great rider. Why not let it pass and let someone who wants to ride a real Guzzi sport bike enjoy it?

Pete

You're absolutely right,,, a young guy with a good back and neck, wanting a nice vintage ride would probably do well with it.

tks

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
2003 V11 Lemans
2007 Griso 1100
1979 G5 & 1980 Lemans CX100
2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #20 on: August 21, 2016, 04:37:52 PM »
Like I said in the first post.. it's not a LeMans 2 any more, and to my mind "investment" means original unmolested, or can be made original without much work. Sure, you *could* make it into a LeMans 2, but you'd have more money in it than it would ever be worth. Just MHO.

As I talked with the owner, almost every single unique Lemans piece has been removed, seemed very unusual, didn't make sense to me,,, but from the parts list that has gone into it,,, sounds like it has had some serious coin and work thrown at it over the years,,, but all of that means zero to me, stock would suit me just fine,,, and you're absolutely right, zero to a future investor, if the Lemans 2 is no longer there.

tks very much

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
2003 V11 Lemans
2007 Griso 1100
1979 G5 & 1980 Lemans CX100
2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Offline swooshdave

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #21 on: August 21, 2016, 04:57:10 PM »
From what little I've learn is that published serial numbers should be used as a guide, not gospel.
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Online Turin

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #22 on: August 21, 2016, 06:20:28 PM »
Quote
The exhaust are Hindle cans and Lang Hindle (exhaust guru/god in Canadian MC racing) came up with the measurements and design himself, then built by the owner, fwiw, (he does apparently have very good fabricating skills,, he also did the fork brace)

Might be Hindle cans, but I'm calling BS on that exhaust story. That is a BUB headpipe with what looks like a V11 Sport lower section welded together. between the two is a connecting pipe that was bent at a muffler shop, look close at that bend.

 I'm not trying to be a jerk, but something is not adding up here.
« Last Edit: August 21, 2016, 06:34:49 PM by Turin »
1997 Daytona RS
1991 Rennsport California III
1991 LeMans 1000
1987 LeMans SE Dave's Cycle Racer
1984 LeMans III
1985 Sidlow Guzzi
1974 850-T Sport
1969 A-series Ambassador
1996 Triumph Daytona 1200
1996 Triumph Daytona 900
1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 Balocco SE 3.0

Offline 80CX100

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #23 on: August 21, 2016, 07:13:05 PM »
Might be Hindle cans, but I'm calling BS on that exhaust story. That is a BUB headpipe with what looks like a V11 Sport lower section welded together. between the two is a connecting pipe that was bent at a muffler shop, look close at that bend.

 I'm not trying to be a jerk, but something is not adding up here.

I had asked him about the header pipes, he did state they were Bubs,,, but that Lang Hindle had taken all his engine mod specs into account, and recommended a 34"-36" exhaust length to the muffler for the best performance,,, I got the impression that was the reasoning for the the extra length at the 2nd welded cross over. fwiw

I agree something doesn't add up,,, he did state that he worked in a bike shop when he was younger,,, could this have been a total rebuild crash/burn bike back in the day?,,, or were his bike parts used to rebuild a write off Lemans 1?,,, another unsolved mystery perhaps,lol.

tks

Kelly
2008 California Vintage
2003 V11 Lemans
2007 Griso 1100
1979 G5 & 1980 Lemans CX100
2010 Suzuki DR650 & 1978 SR500

In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act. George Orwell

Online Turin

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #24 on: August 21, 2016, 07:34:17 PM »
If it runs well and the title is good, I'd still pay the $2,500. It has a lot of potential for a "special".
1997 Daytona RS
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Offline Idontwantapickle

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #25 on: August 21, 2016, 07:40:03 PM »
I'll buy that for 2500 no problem. Just tell me who to call!
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Offline Piglet

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #26 on: August 22, 2016, 11:56:25 AM »
Yes, I'd buy it for $2500, where is it?  I'm missing my 850 Lemans majorly! Any of that "incorrect" stuff doesn't bother me in the least.  The fork is probably an improvement.

Offline Huzo

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #27 on: August 24, 2016, 09:47:07 AM »
"How hard is it to locate an original or copy seat pan for the Lemans?"

Not that hard to find, keep an eye on eBay as they come up fairly regularly, front fender can be found at MG cycle.
I've got an original seat in good condition if you want to make an offer. It's surplus so will let it go cheap plus postage.

Offline Arizona Wayne

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #28 on: August 24, 2016, 03:39:59 PM »
Don't know what your intention is for this LM II whether for riding looks or riding comfort but I've had a `81 CX100 for over 30 years and put almost 100K miles on it 1 & 2 up.  That original seat is uncomfortable and I put a Corbin gunfighter & lady on mine decades ago.  There are also other decent solo euro seats available for them too.  Riding on that stock seat is like riding on a 2X4 piece of wood!  :evil:

Offline Two Checks

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Re: Real Lemans 2 ? ser # and photo
« Reply #29 on: August 24, 2016, 04:47:25 PM »
From the patina of the head pipes they could be off a newer model bike.
I could be wrong, but they look right.
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